Fluid nozzle



Jan. 10, 1967 R. W. JOBSON 3,296,679

FLUID NOZ ZLE Filed Nov. 27, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOI-I R. W. JOBSON FLUID NOZZLE Jan. 10, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed NOV. 27, 1965 United States Patent O 3,296,679 FLUID NZZLE Robert Walden .lobson, Wilmington, Del., assiguor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 326,515 7 Claims. (Ci. 28-1) This invention relates to apparatus for the continuous uid treatment of running strands of lamentary material.

Fluid devices have been utilized for such diverse yarn treating operations as conveying, projecting or exerting tension twisting, crimping by treating in a turbulent zone and uing by using air streams. Similarly, uid jets have been used to produce a more cohesive structure of multilament yarn by the interentanglement of lilaments, and air jets have been employed to produce loops or convolutions along individual filaments to substantially increase the yarn bulk and covering power.

The main advantage of fluid .processing resides in the high rates of speed which may be attained in the treatment of yarn. Also, conventional nozzles encircle the thread path to insure eilicient action of the uid on the yarn. Threading the yarn into such a nozzle to begin treatment may be done easily when the yarn is on a stationary package or movin-g at a relatively low speed |by means of a suction created at the yarn inlet vby the uid jet, a portable suction tube or even by simple hooks or thread-up wires. However, when a yarn is moving at high speed, about several hundred feet per minute for example, and where it cannot -be readily slowed down or stopped to permit a time-consuming threading operation, the conventional nozzle is generally very diflicult to thread.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple efcient device for lluid treatment of lamentary material. A further object is to provide means of access of a running yarn to the yarn treatment passageway of a uid nozzle without interruption of the yarn travel. A still further object is to provide a self-sealing closure which may be opened yby a simple manual motion without removing parts or unfastening latches and which, when released, rapidly and automatically encloses -the treating passage of the fluid nozzle. A still further object is to provide a positive seal at the access slot to confine the treating uid and yarn and to obtain maximum jet effectiveness. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished by a fluid nozzle which comprises a body assembly having a yarn passageway therethrough and which is intercepted by one or more fluid inlets, a string-up slot adjacent the yarn passageway for introducing an endless yarn into the yarn passage and a slideable closure plate which is freely movable in a direction transverse to the string-up slot and having suitable guides and stops to control its movement. Moved transversely by simple manual actuation, the string-up slot is exposed. When released, the slideable closure plate falls by gravity to close and seal the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the slideable closure plate is wedge-shaped and slides in a suitable guideway in the body assembly of the fluid nozzle. In an alternative ernbodi-ment, the slideable closure plate is slotted and its path of movement is controlled and limited by xed studs. In another embodiment, the slideable closure plate is used with a horizontal string-up slot.

The embodiments of this invention and their advantages can be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this invention,

FIGURE 2 shows in cross-section the uid nozzle, taken "ice substantially on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1, with the slideable closure plate in the closed operating position,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view as in FIGURE 2 with the slideable closure plate in the open position,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of an alt :.rnate embodiment similar to the illustration of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an alternate treating device.

The apparatus of FIGURE 1 illustrates a fluid nozzle for treatment of yarn comprising a body assembly consisting of a body member 10' and a mating plate 11 joined together by appropriate fasteners 12 and held in precise alignment with dowl pins which are not shown. The treating fluid -is admitted to the ybody me-mber 10 by inlet 13. Th-e yarn 14 'being treated travels through yarn passageway 15. The wedge-shaped slideable closure plate 16 resting in tapered guideway 17 closes oit stringup slot 18 and prevents lateral escape of the moving yarn 14 or the treating fluid from the yarn passageway 15. The lifting bit 19 which projects out of slot 2t) in body member 10 is integral with slideable closure plate 16.

The sectional view in FIGURE 2 reveals the internal structure of the device of FIGURE 1 in the closed or operating position. An angle a is formed between the side 27 of guideway 17 and the opposite face ofthe stringup slot 1S. The edges of slideable closure plate 16 have essentially the same included angle so that the slidealble closure plate 16 rests solidly and snugly within guideway 17. The slideable closure plate 16 in this ligure has been undercut slightly in regions 29 and 30, as a refinement, to reduce the contact area with the angled Side 27 of the guideway 17 The lifting bit 19 is integral with the slideable closure plate 16 and projects outside body member 10 through slot 20. Typical passages in nozzles for fluid treatment of yarns are shown in dotted line in FIGURE 2. In this instance, the treating fluid is admitted through inlet 13 and, in turn, through conduit 31 which intercepts the moving yarn 14 at an angle as it travels through convergent-divergent yarn passageway 15.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2 during the string-up operation with the slideable closure plate in the open position. A simple tool such as rod 32 is positioned between lbody member 10 and lifting bit 19 to prevent slideable closure plate 16 from falling into the closed position shown in FIGURE 2. String-up slot 18 is exposed and a mo-vin-g thread can be introduced into the yarn passageway 15 by appropriate means. During the string-up operation, the ow of the treating fluid may be momentarily stopped or allowed to continue uninterrupted, at the option of the operator.

FIGURE 4 shows a cross-section of 4a modification of FIGURE 1 in the 4closed position. In this embodiment, the slideable closure plate 40` is T-shaped with parallel diagonal slots 41, the movement of which is controlled by guide pins 42. The pinsv42 are slightly narrower than the width of the slots 41 to permit freedom of motion and are xedly positioned in lbody member 10 in an appropriate guideway. When pressure is applied on lifting arm 43 in the manner previously described, the slideable closure plate 40 moves transversely to the position shown -in dotted outline, similarly exposing string-up slot 18.

FIGURE 5 shows an embodiment with the slideable closure plate applied to horizontal string-up slots in alignment with horizontal yarn treating passageways. Body member 50 is supplied with treating uid through inlet 13, which is introduced into yarn treating passageway 15 through appropriate internal passages not shown. A sheet of filaments 51 iS shown passing horizontally through the fluid nozzle. slideable closure plate 52 is mounted externally on upper lip 53 and rests perpendicularly upon the face of Ilower lip 54 of the device. Slideable closure plate 52 is held in place by studs 55 and its motion across the vertical lip 53 is controlled by vslots 41. The threading operation is performed in the same manner as described above. Slideable closure plate S2 is moved by means of lifting bit 19 which projects out- Wardly from the upper edge of the slideable closure plate, permitting moving lilaments 51 to be introduced between lips 53 and 54 into yarn treating passageway 15. When released, theslideable closure plate 52 drops downward, instantly sealing off the yarn treating passageway 15.

The string-up slots shown in the figuresA are Hat planar passages. If required, the string-up slot may be curved or angular, in which case the sealing edge of the slideable closure plate is shaped to conform to the surface of thel slot. Generally, the width of the slot is but a fraction of an inch, frequently a few thousandths of an inch being sufficient to permit ta tilamentary bundle to pass inwardly to the yarn treating passageway.

If desired, Weights, springs or other mechanical devices may be employed to complement the weight of the slideable closure plate and regulate the sealing pressure of the slideable closure plate on the face -of the string-up slot without hindering the operation. This purpose may be served in the embodiment of FIGURE 1 by mounting a flexible spring member 21 on the outer face of body member so as to press against the projection of lifting bit 19 and urge closure plate 16 into its closed position. In FIGURE 5, for example, a simple leaf spring 57 is mounted on body member 50 and applies a desired pressure on the lower lip S4 of the assembly.

The fluid nozzle of this invention is capable of being adapted to any of the various fluid treatments. The yarn passageway and fluid inlets may be shaped and sized aS required to produce the desired result. The yarn passageway may have transverse sections of any convenient geometric shape such as circular, oval, triangular, rectangular or polygonal. Any desired angle of approach of the fluid inlet toward the running yarn may Ibe used. Passageways may be provided to treat a multiplicity of running yarns simultaneously. Air, steam or other common gases may be employed as the treating fluid, lwhich may be either cooled or at an elevated temperature.

The construction of the fluid nozzle of this invention is simple and may be readily fabricated by conventional means. Extremely critical dimensional tolerances are not required; however, there must be sufficient clearance between the slideable closure plate and the guideway to enable free movement during the string-up operation. For the fabrication, common materials may be employed, depending upon the yarn treatment, process or the mode of fabrication. Metals are most frequently used but stainless steels or molded plastics may be utilized for corrosive conditions. Special alloys or ceramic materials may be advantageously employed for high-temperature or abrasive service conditions.

Since many ditfeernt embodiments of the invention may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited by the specic illustrations except to the extent defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid nozzle for treating yarn comprising a body assembly having a yarn passageway therethrough land at least one inlet for admitting fluid into said yarn passage- 4 way, a string-up slot adajacent said yarn passageway and adapted to accommodate the introduction of said yam into said yarn passageway, a slideable closure plate operatively positioned to close and seal said string-up slot by gravity, a lifting bit integral with said slideable cl0- sure plate and cap-able of being actuated t0 move said slideable closure plate transversely to said stringeup slot to expose at least a portion of said string-up slot for introducing said yarn into said yarn passageway, whereby upon release of said lifting ybit said slideable closure plate automatically closes said string-up slot.

2. A fluid nozzle for treating yarn comprising a body assembly having a yarn passageway therethrough and at least one inlet for admitting tluid into said yarn passage way, a string-up slot adjacent said yarn passageway and adapted to accommodate the introduction of said yam into said yarn passageway, -a guideway substantially perpendicular to said string-up slot, a slideable closure plate snugly positioned in said guideway and closing and sealingI said string-up slot, a lifting bit integral with said slideable closure plate and capable of being actuated to move said slideable closure plate transversely to said string-up Slot to expose at least a portion of said string-up slot for introducing said yarn into said yarn passageway, whereby upon release of said lifting bit said slideable closure plate falls by gravity to close and seal said stringup slot.

3. The uid nozzle of claim 2 wherein said guideway is tapered and said slideable closure plate is substantially wedge-shaped.

4. The uid nozzle of claim 2 wherein said slideable closure plate and said lifting bit form a substantially T-shaped member, said slideable closure plate having parallel diagonal slots therein and guide pins attachedly positioned in said guideway and extending through said parallel diagona-l slots to restrict the movement of said slideable closure plate.

5. The fluid nozzle of claim 1 wherein said yarn passageway is horizontal and said slideable closure plate is substantially rectangular in shape, said slideable closure plate having parallel slots therein and studs positioned on said body assembly so as to extend through said parallel slots to restrict the movement of said slideable closure plate.

6. The uid nozzle of claim 1 lwherein spring means are operatively connected to said slideable closure plate to cause said slideable closure plate to close and seal said string-up slot.

7. Thefluid nozzle of claim 2 wherein spring means are operatively connected to said slideable closure plate to cause said slideable closure plate to Close and seal said string-up slot.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,681,729 6/1954 Griset 57-34 X 2,995,801 8/1961 Cormier 28-1 3,031,770 5/ 1962 Githens et al. 28-62 X 3,169,296 2/ 1965 `Clendening 28--1 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

DONALD W. PARKER, Examiner.

H. S. IAUDON, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A FLUID NOZZLE FOR TREATING YARN COMPRISING A BODY ASSEMBLY HAVING A YARN PASSAGEWAY THERETHROUGH AND AT LEAST ONE INLET FOR ADMITTING FLUID INTO SAID YARN PASSAGEWAY, A STRING-UP SLOT ADJACENT SAID YARN PASSAGEWAY AND ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE THE INTRODUCTION OF SAID YARN INTO SAID YARN PASSAGEWAY, A SLIDEABLE CLOSURE PLATE OPERATIVELY POSITIONED TO CLOSE AND SEAL SAID STRING-UP SLOT BY GRAVITY, A LIFTING BIT INTEGRAL WITH SAID SLIDEABLE CLOSURE PLATE AND CAPABLE OF BEING ACTUATED TO MOVE SAID SLIDEABLE CLOSURE PLATE TRANSVERSELY TO SAID STRING-UP SLOT TO EXPOSE AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID STRING-UP SLOT FOR INTRODUCING SAID YARN INTO SAID YARN PASSAGEWAY, WHEREBY UPON RELEASE OF SAID LIFTING BIT SAID SLIDEABLE CLOSURE PLATE AUTOMATICALLY CLOSES SAID STRING-UP SLOT. 